Collapsible carriage



Dec 24, 1940- S. KROLI. ET AL COLLAPSIBLE CARRIAGE Filed F'eb. 2,5, 1939 Samuei, FZL @24A/@fwn JKFOZZ/ INVENTORS man@ ATTORNEY.

Patented Dec. 24, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 15 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in folding baby carriages and the like and has as its principal object the provision in such carriage of a foldable or exible carriage cradle arranged to be collapsed or erected with the folding movements of the carriage structure and having a rigid bottom member pivotally connected with the carriage structure for the purpose of maintaining the rigid bottom, in particular, and the cradle fabric, in general, in a predetermined position relative to the other parts of the carriage during folding or erecting movements thereof.

Another object is to provide a rigid bottom structure in a flexible carriage cradle in which the bottom member is composed of a plurality of hingedly joined rigid panels or sections, at least one of which is pivotally connected with the carriage structure.`

Another object is the provision in a folding carriage having a foldable cradle with a rigid end wall portion adapted to be lowered and raised to provide a footwell, of a rigid bottom structure including a central rigid panel pivotally linked to the folding frame members and having a hinged section hingedly joined to the rigid end wall of the footwell for coaction with the latter in movements of the same into and out of raised position.

Another object is to provide a rigid bottom member in the folding cradle bag of a collapsible carriage, and means pivotally connecting the rigid bottom structure with the folding frame members of the carriage in such manner that the bottom, as well as other parts of the cradle, will move uniformly into and out of collapsed or folded condition with a positive action which will facilitate and expedite the opening and closing of the carriage and prevent injury to the cradle or other members during folding or erecting movement of the various parts of the carriage structure.

Yet another object is the provision in a collapsible carriage of a cradle or carriage Well of foldable material and a rigid bottom member in the cradle or well and means linking the bottom member with certain folding members of the carriage frame structure in such manner that the bottom member will always be maintained in a predetermined position relative to the other parts of the carriage structure in both collapsed and erect conditions of the latter and during collapsing or erecting movement of the various parts of the folding structure.

Other objects, advantages, and novel aspects of the invention reside in the form, arrangement,

and combination of parts particularly described hereinafter in connection with the annexed drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of one form of carriage in erected condition; 5

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and drawn to enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is aside view of the carriage in collapsed condition; while Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section along line 4-4 of Fig. 2, particularly showing the bottom attaching means, and drawn to enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail to enlarged scale of the hinge connection between the end wall and the rigid bottom member, looking in the direction of line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

The present invention is directed to improvements in the type of collapsible carriage shown in our U. S. Patent 2,111,974 and in our copending application, Serial No. 218,584. 20

It should be understood at the outset that the invention is not limited in its application to any particular kind of collapsing carriage, and the detailed description herein of one form of carriage structure to which the invention may be applied is not to be understood as a limitation.

For purposes of illustration, we have chosen to apply the invention to the type of folding carriage disclosed in our aforesaid copending application, and in order that the advantages of the invention may be fully appreciated in connection With folding carriages in general, and the carriage structure of the aforesaid application in particular, the construction and operation of said carriage structure is set forth in detail hereinafter.

In the illustrative embodiment there is provided a wheel chassis including wheel bearing axles I0 mounted on cross rails II to provide a relatively rigid Wheel base.

-A ycollapsible frame structure, including tWo pairs vof scissors or cross arms each including a main arm I2 and a companion arm I2', is attached on opposite sides of the chassis by means of shackles I3 (see also Fig. 3), the latter having pivotal connection at one end on the axles I0 and at their opposite ends I4 with the lower eX- tremites of the scissor arms. Each pair of the so-called scissors or cross arms is pivotally joined as at I8 between the respective ends of 150 the arms, there being across bracket I9 extended from the pivoted connection to give added rigidity to the structure.

The upper ends of the main scissor or cross arms I2 are pivotally attached as at 20 to horizontal rails 2|, while the companion arms I2' .of each pair are pivotally connected as at 22 (Fig. 3 also) to the lower ends of pivot arms 23 arranged on opposite sides of the carriage top rails 2| and pivotally attached as at 24 between their ends to these horizontal top rails 2|. The upper ends .of the pivot arms 23 are respectively connected to the free end portions of a handle structure 25.

By manipulation of the handle 25 about the connecting points 24 as an axis, the carriage frame may be collapsed or raised relative to the chassis. When the handle is pushed toward the left (Fig. 1) the leverages are such that the frame members tendto pivot into the collapsed condition illustrated in Fig. 3 and vice versa.

In order to prevent accidental collapsing of the carriage when the same is in use, there is provided a detent or locking means 26 on the scissor arms l2' adjacent the pivotal connections 22 and so arranged as to effect automatic latching engagement between the pivot arms 23 and the scissor arms I2 (not illustrated in detail) to prevent relative pivotal movement of the frame parts for the purpose aforesaid. lf desired, the pin and slot arrangement of our aforesaid patent may be employed in place of the detent means 26.

A foldable carriage well or cradle 38, made from canvas or any other suitable and analogous material, and of substantially rectangular form,is swung from the top rails 2| by yany usual means, there being a trimming rail 3| secured on the top rails 2| to dress the attachment of the cradle to the frame and also provide a suitable contact surface for the carriage occupant. The carriage well or cradle fabric is attached to the horizontal frame rails only along one end wall and partially through the length of the adjoining side walls, the points of attachment corresponding to the length of the trimming rail 3|, so that the top horizontal edges of the cradle at one end are left free for movement in a substantially vertical sense relative to the top rails 2|, the purpose of this being to permit such movement so that this portion of the cradle may be 10W- ered to provide a footwell, the carriage thus being convertible into a stroller.

One of the important features ofthe structure is the provision in the footwell portion of the` cradle of a relatively rigid end wallv or dashboard 35 to which the vertical and horizontal bottom edge portions of the cradle fabric are securely attached by any suitable means.

Means attaching the rigid end wall to the carriage frame for cooperative folding movement with the latter includesa pair of lever arms 36, each of which is pivotally attached as at 3'| to one upper corner part of the rigid end wall member 35 as by means of brackets 38, the opposite ends of the levers 36 being pivotally attached to the top rails 2| by pin means 38 (Figs. l and 3) horizontally slidable in slots 48 formed in the rails 2|.

Each of the lever arms 36 is provided with a headed seating pin 4| spaced inwardly from the mounting pins 39 and adapted to seat in notches 42 formed near the upper edge extremities of the rails 2 I When the carriage is in use as a stroller (not shown), the footwell may be raised by grasping the end wall 35 and moving the same toward the right, the pins 39 sliding in the slots 40 so as to dispose the seating vpins 4| in advanceof the-extremities of the top rails 2| to clear the latter, whereupon the end wall 35 may be pushed slightly to the left so that the pins 4| will fall into the notches 42 in which condition the carriage will appear as in Fig. 1.

The lever means 36 is so arranged and constructed with relation to its form and attachment to the end wall member 35 and folding frame structure |2-2|, etc., that the collapsing and erecting movements of the carriage frame effect corresponding movements of the end Wall or dash, with the result that when the carriage is collapsed by release of the detent means 26 and movement of the handle 25 (toward the left) and the carriage frame folds into the condition viewed in Fig. 3, the novel end wall 35 will pivot with positive movement into reclining position, neatly folded back against the cradle as it rests on the chassis as illustrated in Fig. 3.

In this latter operation, the descending movement of the top rails 2| when the carriage is collapsed from the condition seen in Fig. 1 ultimately effects a counter-clockwise movement of the lever arms 36 about their pivotal connections 39 with a consequent tilting of the end wall 35 toward the left and into collapsed condition on top of the folded cradle. When the carriage is erected, the reverse operation occurs and the end wall or dash is automatically raised into erect position and will generally be latched by the pin and notch means 4|-42 without further attention, it being occasionally necessary, however, to grasp the member 35 and give it a slight push toward the right to effect seating of the pins 4|.

As heretofore stated, the foregoing specically described carriage structure is exemplary of a preferred type of collapsible carriage structure with which the present invention may be used. This invention contemplates the provision of a rigid bottom structure in the flexible cradle 38, and as shown particularly in Figs. l and 4 this bottom structure includes a substantially rigid panel 58 of lightweight wood, pressed board or the like which may be secured to the cradle bottom in any convenient manner, as by tacking, gluing or in the preferred manner, as shown in Fig. 4, wherein the board 50 is secured between opposite layers of cradle fabric 5| and 52, the portions of the fabric along the margins of the bottom member preferably being stitched together as at 53 to hold the panel in position and for the purpose of forming hinge members later to be described.

The bottom member 5D is situated substantially in the mid-region of the bottom of the cradle and is pivotally connected with the carriage structure by means such as the cross bracket 54 secured to the under side of the panel by means such as screws 55 and having angle arms 56 at its opposite extremities suitably apertured Vto receive rivets or pins 5l passed through the upper ends of link arms 58 and constituting a pivotal connection of the arms with the bottom member. The opposite ends 59 of the several link arms are pivotally connected with the carriage structure by having the main pivot |8 of each corresponding pair of scissor arms passed therethrough and connecting the links with the scissor arms along with the reinforcing cross arm |9. Thus, the link arms 58 are respectively 4pivotally connected at their opposite ends with the rigid bottom member and the folding arms ofthe carriage structure on opposite sides of the cradle.

The length of the arms 58 is chosen so that when the carriage is erected there will be a slight pull on the bottom of the cradle transmitted through the bottom panel therein and which is effective to hold the cradle against swinging and also to tauten the cradle bag into fully open position and substantially smooth out any wrinkles which may tend to form in the cradle fabric.

The rigid bottom panel 5D is so situated that the weight of the occupant will be centered thereon whether the occupant be in a recumbent or upright position. Thus, when the footwell is lowered to convert the carriage into a stroller (not shown), the occupant will be in a sitting position on the panel 50 with his feet in the lowered footwell adjoining the rigid end wall 35.

In the preferred construction the rigid bottom structure, in addition to the central panel 50, includes a plurality of hingedly joined panels one of which constitutes a back rest B and the other of which constitutes a footwell bottom member Bl. The back rest 60 includes a rigid panel 62 preferably somewhat thinner than the panel 50 and which is secured between opposite layers 63 and 6ft of fabric with a stitched hinged connection E to the central panel 50 similar to the hinged portions 53 which join the central panel with the footwell panel 6|. The marginal portions of the back rest 6B other than its hinged connection 65 with the central panel 5B, are unattached so that the rigid bottom member 60 may be raised and lowered into various positions t0 provide a suitable back rest which is held in positions of adjustment by snaps or other means not shown herein. Normally, the back rest 60 is in the lowered condition seen in Figs. 1 and 4.

The footwell bottom member 6I is secured between continuing portions 5| and 52 of the fabric covering for the bottom structure, and these portions 5l and 52 are drawn together and stitched around the end 63 of the panel 6I nearest the end wall member 35, the joined portion of the fabric continuing for attachment along the bottom edge 5l (Figs. 1 and 5) ofthe rigid end wall to provide a hinge connection 68 which permits appropriate relative movement of the bottom member BI andl the end wall 35 when the footwell is raised and lowered.

The particular manner in which the rigid bottom members are folded between the fabric layers is not of controlling importance, the manner in which this is accomplished being dependent upon which of the several possible types of cradle construction is employed and whether the bottom structure is itself to constitute the bottom of the cradle or whether the bottom strucure is i'lrst formed between continuing layers 5I and 52 and subsequently laid on the bottom of th'e cradle as illustrated particularly in Figs. 1 and 5.

Since the central or main rigid bottom panel is prevented from moving substantially relative to the carriage structure as a result of its pivotal connection 54-56-58 with the folding members 0f the carriage, the associated parts of the rigid bottom structure such as the back rest S@ and the rigid footwell bottom 6I are likewise prevented from moving, and any danger of the cradle fabric being torn or otherwise disgured by being caught between any of the folding members is obviated. In addition, the entire cradle is prevented from swaying when the same is occupied and in this sense is disposed in a predetermined and tautened condition; and, moreover, the cradle is always unfolded properly and to its fullest extent and in suitable position relative to the frame members with substantially all of the wrinkles frequently found in other types of cradle construction, largely removed. Likewise, when the carriage is folded the bottom of the cradle is positively guided into a predetermined condition of recumbency down toward the running gear or wheel chassis.

The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized in other forms of construction and arrangements of parts, and the invention is therefore not limited to the specific recitations of the foregoing specification except as may be provided in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a carriage, opposite pairs of scissor arms and means attaching the same at their lower extremities to a wheel chassis, cradle supporting means attached to the upper extremities of said scissor arms, a cradle of foldable material attached to said scissor arms by said supporting means, said cradle having a rigid bottom, link means pivotally attached to said bottom between its ends on opposite sides thereof, said link means on opposite sides of the bottom being pivotally connected to the common pivotal juncture of the corresponding scissor arms.

2. In a carriage of the type having a foldable cradle suspended on the upper end region of opposite pairs of scissor arms, a rigid bottom member for said cradle, and link means pivotally attached thereto on opposite sides thereof and each pivotally connected to the pivot point of a pair of said scissor arms whereby t0 tauten the fabric side portions of said cradle when the carriage is erected and to maintain said bottom in a prede-y termined recumbent relationship with respect to the members of the carriage structure when the latter is collapsed.

3. In a folding carriage, a cradle of folding material suspended from foldable'structural supports on opposite sides thereof, said cradle having a rigid bottom member and means on opposite sides thereof and adjacent the midportion thereof pivotally linking opposite sides of said bottom with a common pivotal juncture on corresponding sides of said structural supports for coaction with the said supports to guide said bottom into predetermined positions relative thereto in all collapsed or erected conditions of the carriage.

4. In a carriage, opposite pairs of scissor arms connected at their lower ends to a wheel chassis for folding movement relative to the latter and arranged to support a foldable cradle bag at their opposite ends, said cradle bag collapsing into folded condition upon said chassis when the scissor arms are folded in, said cradle bag having a rigid bottom member, means including an attaching bracket extended laterally across said bottom member substantially in its midregion, link means pivotally connected with the opposite end portions of said bracket and each pivotally connected to the main pivot point of one of said scissor arms and elfective to guide said bottom onto said chassis when the carriage is collapsed and further effective to dispose said bottom in a position of alignment with respect to the other members of the carriage structure when the latter is erected and further to extend said cradle to fully open condition.

5. In a folding carriage, opposite pairs of cross arms in which the arms of each pair are pivotally joined to each other between their ends to form scissor arms, a folding cradle bag suspended from the upper endI portions of said pairs of scissor arms, said cradle bag having a rigid bottom member, a link arm pivotally attached to the'aforesaid pivotal juncture between the ends of each pair of scissor arms, and each link arm having pivotal connection with said bottom at a side thereof between its ends, whereby said scissor` arms may be erected or collapsed, said bottom being guidably supported by said link arms in predetermined relationship with said scissor arms and cradle bag in all movements and conditions of collapse or erection.

6. In a folding carriage, a foldable cradle having a rigid end wall and means pivotally connecting the same with a carriage frame for movement into and out of raised and lowered position to provide a footwell, a rigid bottom member in said cradle and means arranged at the midregion of said bottom pivotally connecting the same with said frame, said bottom having a section adjoining said end wall which is hinged for movement into and out of lowered position with the latter to form said footwell.

'7. In a folding carriage, a wheel chassis, opposite pairs of scissor arms connected at their lower ends to said chassis, a foldable cradle bag supported from the upper regions of said scissor arms, said cradle bag having an end portion arranged and constructed for movement into and out of normally raised position to provide a footwell, a substantially rigid bottom member in said cradle, means pivotally connecting said bottom member with said scissor arms and effective to dispose said bottom member in predetermined positions in collapsed as well as erected condition of the carriage, said bottom having a portion adjoining the end of said cradle which constitutes the footwell and which portion is hingedly joined with the remaining portions of the bottom for lowering and raising movement cooperably with said footwell.

8. In a folding carriage, a wheel chassis, folding frame members pivotally joined to each other on opposite sides of said chassis, means attaching said frame members to thechassis on opposite sides thereof, a foldable cradle bag suspended from the region of said vframe members on a side of their respective pivotal junctures opposite said chassis', said cradle bag having a rigid bottom, and link means pivotally connected with said bottom and connected with said frame members for pivotal movement coaxially with the aforesaid pivotal juncture of the respective frame members on opposite sides of the chassis.

9. In a folding carriage, a wheel chassis, folding frame members pivotally joined to each other on opposite sides of said chassis, means attaching said frame members to the chassis on opposite sides thereof, a foldable cradle bag suspended from the region of said frame members on a side of their respective pivotal junctures opposite said chassis, said cradle bag having a rigid bottom, and link members each pivotally connected at one end to one of the pivotal junctures of the folding frame members on opposite sides of the chassis, each said link member having pivotal connection with said rigid bottom.

10. In a folding carriage of the type including a foldable cradle having a footwell, a rigid bottom structure including al central rigid panel arranged in the bottom of said cradle, means pivotally connecting said panel with the folding carriage structure, and rigid panel means hingedly joined with said central panel in the bottom of the cradle and respectively constituting a back rest and foot rest with the latter disposed in the footwell part of the cradle.

l1. In a folding carriage of the type including a foldable cradle and means attaching the same to the carriage structure so that one end of the cradle may be raised and lowered to provide a footwell, a rigid bottom structure including a central rigid panel arranged in the bottom of said cradle, means pivotally linking said central panel with said frame structure, and a rigid footwell panel hingedly joined at one end with said central panel and at an opposite end with the end wall portion of the panel which constitutes the footwell.

12. In a folding carriage, a collapsible carriage structure and a foldable cradle bag supported thereon, said cradle bag having a footwell portion including a rigid end wall arranged and constructed for movement into and out of lowered position to provide a footwell, and a rigid bottom structure for said cradle and including a rigid bottom panel arranged in the bottom of the cradle and pivotally linked with said frame structure, and a rigid footwell panel arranged in the bottom of said footwell between said first-mentioned panel and said end wall and hingedly joined with said rst-mentioned panel and the end wall for movement into and out of lowered position with said footwell, said rst-1nentioned panel being maintained by said pivotal linking thereof at all times in a substantially immovable position relative to said carriage structure,

13. In a folding carriage structure of the type including opposite pairs of scissor arms joined at their respective lower ends with a wheel base and having attached to their upper end portions a foldable cradle bag adapted to be collapsed and erected with corresponding movements of said scissor arms relative to said wheel base, a rigid bottom structure comprising: a plurality of substantially rigid panels hingedly joined together and a particular one of which is arranged to con- `stitute a bottom for said cradle bag, one of said panel members being linked with said scissor arms by means of links arranged on opposite sides of the carriage and each pivotally connected with said particular panel and with the main pivotal connection of the corresponding pair of scissor arms.

14. In a folding carriage, opposite pairs of scissor arms having connection at their respective lower ends with a wheel structure and having a flexiblecradle bag supported from their upper end portions, one end of said cradle bag being arranged and constructed for movement into and out of raised and lowered position to provide a footwell, a rigid bottom structure comprising a rst rigid bottom panel arranged in the bottom of said cradle between the ends thereof, a link arm pivotally connected to said first panel on opposite sides thereof at a point above the main pivotal connection of the corresponding pair of scissor arms, each of said link arms having pivotal connection with the aforesaid main pivotal connection of the pair of scissor arms disposed on the corresponding side of the carriage, a substantially rigid back rest hingedly joined with said first-mentioned panel for movement from a lowered position wherein said back rest constitutes a part of the rigid bottom structure in said cradle to a raised position in which the same may be utilized as a back rest, and a rigid footwell panel hingedly joined to said first-mentioned panel on a side thereof opposite said back rest and arranged for movement into raised and lowered positions With said footwell.

15. In a folding carriage including a wheel chassis, opposite pairs of scissor arms respectively attached at their lower ends to said chassis and arranged to support a foldable cradle bag from their upper end portions, the scissors pivot of each said pair of arms being disposed in the region below the bottom of said cradle bag, a link 10 arm pivotally connected with the scissors pivot of each said pair of arms and extending upwardly toward the bottom of said cradle bag, and means attached to said bag and pivotally connected with each of said links, said links being of a length sufcient to effect unfolding of said cradle bag to substantially the fully extended condition thereof when the carriage is erected from collapsed condition.

NATHAN J. KROLL.

SAMUEL KROLL. 

